Park vigil held for hikers detained in Iran

Shocked, helpless, worried — yet hopeful. These emotions echoed under candlelight in Washington Square Park last night as friends and family members held a vigil in honor of three American hikers who have been detained in Iran since July 31.

Sarah Shourd, 31, Shane Bauer, 27, and Josh Fattal, 27, were hiking in Iraq last summer when they inadvertently crossed the border into Iran, according to family members and friends. They were arrested because they entered the country without visas.

Swiss diplomats met with the hikers in Iran on Tuesday, State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told press in a briefing Wednesday. Sweden represents the U.S.'s diplomatic interests in Iran.

Alex Fattal, Josh's brother, attended last night's vigil. Alex, 30, has not spoken with his younger brother since the detainment, but said he is hopeful that the three hikers will be released soon.

"President Ahmadinejad ... says he wants to see a speedy resolution to the case and that he sympathizes with us," Alex said.

Alex opened the ceremony with a moment of silence and then read a prepared statement.

Among other speakers, Gallatin senior Samantha Feld read a poem by Josh. Feld and Josh participated together in a study abroad program last spring.

Friends and family cannot communicate directly with the hikers and had messages for Shourd, Bauer and Fattal.

"Josh, I love you, I miss you, come home soon. Let's play some basketball," Alex said.

Bradley Gallo is a Columbia graduate student and friend of Josh.

"Hang in there," Gallo said. "We're doing everything we possibly can with the powers that we possibly have."

Gallatin freshman Jael Weinberg views the detainment as a reason for the U.S. to improve its diplomatic relations with other countries.

"I just want more ... open communication between countries, especially the Middle East with the United States right now — to prevent things like this from happening," she said.

Organizers of the vigil urged students and community members to write letters to New York senators, as well as to sign a petition asking Iran to release the hikers. The petition is available at freethehikers.org.

Additional reporting by Feiye Wang. Arielle Milkman is assignment editor.

In this article, WSN incorrectly stated that Sweden represents the U.S.'s diplomatic interests in Iran. In fact, Switzerland does. WSN regrets the error.